(Amendment 1)
Recital 1
The Community has the objective of strengthening the scientific and technological bases of the Community industry and to assure a high level of competitivity. To this end, the Community shall promote all the research activities deemed necessary, in particular by encouraging undertakings, including small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), research centres and universities in their research and technological development activities.
The Community has the objective of strengthening the scientific and technological bases of the Community industry and to assure a high level of competitivity. To this end, the Community shall promote all the research activities deemed necessary, in particular by encouraging undertakings, including small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), research centres and universities in their research and technological development activities giving priority to those areas and projects where European funding and cooperation is of particular importance and gives an added value.
(Amendment 2)
Recital 10
The research and innovation capacities throughout Europe should be enhanced and their optimal use should be ensured.
The research and innovation capacities throughout Europe should be enhanced and their optimal use should be ensured in order to support the emergence of world leading research in Europe.
(Amendment 3)
Recital 13
Under Ideas, activities should be implemented by a European Research Council (ERC), which should enjoy a high degree of autonomy. Under ”Ideas”, activities should be implemented by a European Research Council (ERC), a legally independent structure to be established under Article 171 of the Treaty, after a transitional phase of maximum two years managed by the Commission and a Scientific Council. The ERC should be accountable to its fund-providers but autonomous in its operations and selection of research projects.
(Amendment 4)
Recital 14
Under People, individuals should be stimulated to enter into the researchers profession, European researchers should be encouraged to stay in Europe, researchers from the entire world should be attracted to Europe and Europe should be made more attractive to the best researchers.
Under People, individuals should be stimulated to enter into the researchers profession, European researchers should be encouraged to stay in Europe, researchers from the entire world should be attracted to Europe and Europe should be made more attractive to the best researchers. The mobility of researchers in Europe should be given priority in order to secure that knowledge is diffused and to secure that innovative frontier research in various disciplines can gather devoted and competent researchers as well as increased financial resources.
(Amendment 5)
Recital 15
Under Capacities, the use and development of research infrastructures should be optimised; innovative capacities of SMEs and their ability to benefit from research should be strengthened; the development of regional research-driven clusters should be supported; the research potential in the EUs convergence and outermost regions should be unlocked; science and society should be brought closer together for the harmonious integration of science and technology in European society; and horizontal actions and measures in support of international co-operation should be undertaken.
Under Capacities, the use and development of research infrastructures should be optimised; innovative capacities of SMEs and their ability to benefit from research should be strengthened; the development of regional research-driven clusters with the potential to be world leadersshould be supported; the research potential in the EUs convergence and outermost regions should be unlocked; science and society should be brought closer together for the harmonious integration of science and technology in European society; and horizontal actions and measures in support of international co-operation should be undertaken.
(Amendment 6)
Article 2, subparagraph 4
People: strengthening, quantitatively and qualitatively, the human potential in research and technology in Europe.
People: strengthening, quantitatively and qualitatively, the human potential in research and technology in Europe and supporting an increased mobility of researchers in Europe.
(Amendment 7)
Article 7, subparagraph 1
Not later than 2010, the Commission shall carry out, with the assistance of external experts, an interim evaluation of this Framework Programme and its specific programmes on the quality of the research activities under way and progress towards the objectives set.
Not later than 2010, the Commission shall carry out, with the assistance of external experts, an interim evaluation of this Framework Programme and its specific programmes on the quality of the research activities under way and progress towards the objectives set and, if appropriate, propose modifications of the objectives and research activities in order to enhance efficiency and to take account of emerging fields of research.
(Amendment 8)
Annex I, paragraph 1
The seventh Framework Programme will be carried out to pursue the general objectives described in Article 163 of the Treaty in contributing towards the creation of a knowledge-based society, building on a European Research Area. It shall strengthen excellence in scientific and technological research through the following four programmes: cooperation, ideas, people and capacities. The seventh Framework Programme will be carried out to pursue the general objectives described in Article 163 of the Treaty in contributing towards the creation of a knowledge-based society, building on a European Research Area. It shall strengthen excellence in scientific and technological research through the following four programmes: cooperation, ideas, people and capacities. The overriding primacy in all these programmes shall be to contribute to the European Union becoming the world’s leading research area. This demands that the FP 7 is strongly focused on promoting and investing in world class research. It is therefore imperative that the implementation of the programmes are founded upon the principles of scientific brilliance rather than other priorities. Only by creating opportunities for state of the art research is it possible for the EU to become the worlds leading research area.
(Amendment 9)
Annex I, Chapter I ”Cooperation”, subtitle ”Joint Technology Initiatives”, paragraph 2, indent 1
Added value of European-level intervention.
Added value of European-level intervention measured in terms of excellence and synergies obtained through cross-border cooperation.
(Amendment 10)
Annex I, Chapter I ”Cooperation”, paragraph 10
In order to strengthen the diffusion and use of the output of EU research, the dissemination of knowledge and transfer of results, including to policy makers, will be supported in all thematic areas, including through the funding of networking initiatives, seminars and events, assistance by external experts and information and electronic services in particular CORDIS. Actions to support innovation will be taken under the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme. In order to strengthen the diffusion and use of the output of EU research, the dissemination of knowledge and transfer of results, including to policy makers, will be supported in all thematic areas, including through the funding of networking initiatives, seminars and events, assistance by external experts and information and electronic services in particular CORDIS. Actions to support innovation will be taken under the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme. Particular attention will be paid to ensuring the adequate participation of SMEs in transnational cooperation. Therefore, concrete measures, including special calls for SMEs , National Exploratory Awards, and support actions to facilitate SME participation will be taken throughout the Cooperation programme under each theme.
(Amendment 11)
Annex I, Chapter I ”Cooperation”, subtitle ”Themes”, point1 ”Health”, subtitle ”Rationale”, paragraph 2
Clinical research on many diseases (e.g. cancer, cardiovascular diseases, mental and neurological diseases, in particular those linked with ageing, such as Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases) relies on international multi-centre trials to achieve the required number of patients in a short time-frame. Epidemiological research requires a large diversity of populations and international networks to achieve significant conclusions. Developing new diagnostics and treatments for rare disorders also require multi-country approaches to increase the number of patients for each study. And performing health policy-driven research at the European level enables comparisons of the models, systems, data, and patient material held in national databases and biobanks. Clinical research on many diseases (e.g. cancer, cardiovascular diseases, trauma, mental and neurological diseases, in particular those linked with ageing, such as Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases) relies on international multi-centre trials to achieve the required number of patients in a short time-frame. Epidemiological research requires a large diversity of populations and international networks to achieve significant conclusions. Developing new diagnostics and treatments for rare disorders also require multi-country approaches to increase the number of patients for each study. And performing health policy-driven research at the European level enables comparisons of the models, systems, data, and patient material held in national databases and biobanks.
(Amendment 12)
Annex I, Chapter I ”Cooperation”, subtitle ”Themes”, point 1 ”Health”, subtitle ”Activities”, bullet 2, indent 4
Translational research in major diseases: cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes/obesity; rare diseases; and other chronic diseases (e.g. osteoarthritis). To develop patient-oriented strategies from prevention to diagnosis and treatment including clinical research.
Translational research in major diseases: cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes/obesity; rare diseases; hospital acquired infections and other chronic diseases (e.g. osteoarthritis). To develop patient-oriented strategies from prevention to diagnosis and treatment including clinical research.
(Amendment 13)
Annex I, Chapter I ”Cooperation”, subtitle ”Themes”, point 4 ”Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and new Production Technologies”, subtitle ”Activities”, bullet 1, indent 1
Generating new knowledge on interface and size dependent phenomena; nano-scale control of material properties for new applications; integration of technologies at the nano-scale; self-assembling properties; nano-motors; nano-machines and nano-systems; methods and tools for characterisation and manipulation at nano dimensions; nano and high-precision technologies in chemistry; impact on human safety, health and the environment; metrology, nomenclature and standards; exploration of new concepts and approaches for sectoral applications, including the integration and convergence of emerging technologies. Generating new knowledge on interface and size dependent phenomena; nano-scale control of material properties for new applications; integration of technologies at the nano-scale; self-assembling properties; nano-motors; nano-machines and nano-systems; methods and tools for characterisation and manipulation at nano dimensions; nano and high-precision technologies in chemistry; impact on human safety, health and the environment; metrology, nomenclature and standards; exploration of new concepts and approaches for sectoral applications, including the integration and convergence of emerging technologies. The relevance of nanosciences and nanotechnologies in medical science must be considered.
(Amendment 14)
Annex I, Chapter I ”Cooperation”, subtitle ”Themes”, point 9.1 ” Security”, subtitle ”Rationale”, indent 3
Existing security related research activities in Europe suffer from the fragmentation of efforts, the lack of critical mass of scale and scope and the lack of connections and interoperability. Europe needs to improve the coherence of its efforts by developing efficient institutional arrangements and by instigating the various national and international actors to co-operate and co-ordinate in order to avoid duplication and to explore synergies wherever possible. Security research at Community level will focus on activities of clear added value to the national level. As a consequence, security research at Community level will reinforce the competitiveness of the European security industry. Existing security related research activities in Europe suffer from the fragmentation of efforts, the lack of critical mass of scale and scope and the lack of connections and interoperability. Europe needs to improve the coherence of its efforts by developing efficient institutional arrangements and by instigating the various national and international actors to co-operate and co-ordinate in order to avoid duplication and to explore synergies wherever possible. Security research at Community level will focus on activities of clear added value to the national level. As a consequence, security research at Community level will reinforce the competitiveness of the European security industry. The security research should emphasise the Union’s capabilities to surveillance, distribution of information and knowledge of threats and incidents as well as systems for better assessments and situation control through a developed use of common ICT-systems in the fields of different operations. The research should be organised in a way that it contributes to a common defence market in Europe.
(Amendment 15)
Annex I, Chapter I ”Cooperation”, subtitle ”Themes”, point 9.1 ” Security”, subtitle ”Activities”, bullet 5
Security Systems Integration and interoperability: focusing on technologies to enhance the interoperability of systems, equipment, services and processes, including law enforcement information infrastructures, as well as on the reliability, organisational aspects, protection of confidentiality and integrity of information and traceability of all transactions and processing.
Security Systems Integration and interoperability: focusing on technologies to enhance the interoperability of systems, equipment, services and processes, including law enforcement information infrastructures, as well as on the reliability, organisational aspects, protection of confidentiality and integrity of information and traceability of all transactions and processing. Increased integration and interoperability is a priority in order to make full use on behalf of the Union of achievements in all areas mentioned.
(Amendment 16)
Annex I, Chapter II ”Ideas”, subtitle ”Activities”, paragraph 2
The EU activities in frontier research will be implemented by a European Research Council (ERC), consisting of a scientific council, supported by a dedicated implementation structure.
The EU activities in frontier research will be implemented by a European Research Council (ERC), a legally independent structure established under Article 171 of the Treaty. It will consist of a scientific council and an administrative board. The management of the ERC will be carried out by permanent staff to assure the necessary stability and continuity for an effective administration.
(Amendment 17)
Annex I, Chapter III ”People”, subtitle ”Rationale”, paragraph 2
Mobility, both trans-national and intersectoral, including stimulating industrial participation and the opening of research careers and academic positions at European scale, is a key component of the European Research Area and indispensable to increase European capacities and performances in research.
Mobility, both trans-national and intersectoral, including stimulating industrial participation and the opening of research careers and academic positions at European scale, is a key component of the European Research Area and indispensable to increase European capacities and performances in research. Increasing mobility of researchers and strengthening the resources of those institutions which attract researchers from other Member States will encourage centres of excellence and also spread that excellence around the European Union.
(Amendment 18)
Annex I, Chapter III ”People”, subtitle ”Activities”, bullet 5
Specific actions to support the creation of a genuine European labour market for researchers, by removing obstacles to mobility and enhancing the career perspectives of researchers in Europe. Furthermore, awards to improve the public awareness of Marie Curie actions and their objectives will be provided.
Specific actions to support the creation of a genuine European labour market for the best researchers and the emergence of an increasing number of European research institutions, by removing obstacles to mobility and enhancing the career perspectives of researchers in Europe. This should be done by increasing the attraction for research institutions and universities to host researchers from other Member States by means of a research voucher scheme. This research voucher should transfer money for researchers and follow those participating in research institutions in Member States other than their own. This added support for mobility of researchers should be additional to current funding schemes with money from Cooperation and Capacity. The research voucher will be an incentive for Member States and for research establishments to compete in attracting the most talented scientists. Furthermore, awards to improve the public awareness of Marie Curie actions and their objectives will be provided.
Justification
It is vitally important to attract and motivate the very best researchers, including those many EU scientists currently working outside the EU. To be helped to attend the most appropriate research establishments for heir area of endeavour wherever in the EU his may be. This research voucher scheme will be an attractive incentive both to the researcher and the research institution or university to achieve excellence.
(Amendment 19)
Annex I, Chapter I ”Cooperation”, subtitle ”Collarborative Research”, paragraph 1a (new)
To support the development of the European Research Area, existing institutions and universities should be supported to develop and enhance their excellence by increased contacts between other research carried out at a national and regional level. This will be achieved through introducing new networking and integration tasks into the remit of the Networks of Excellence.